What is it like to move across the world to study in Sweden? Two international programme students at Karlstad University share their experiences of studying, adapting to a new culture and discovering Swedish traditions – from ice hockey to Lucia.
Every year, students from all over the world come to Karlstad University to begin a new chapter in their lives. For many of them, studying abroad is not only about education, but also about discovering a new culture, new people and a different way of life. Two of those students are Jannatul Yea, known as Jannat, from Bangladesh, and Bwalya Kabwe from Zambia.
Jannat is 24 years old and studies the new Bachelor Programme in Computer Science with a focus on Artificial Intelligence. After completing her twelfth and final year of school back home, she began thinking about studying abroad. Following extensive research into different countries, universities and programmes, she eventually chose the AI programme at Karlstad University – partly because artificial intelligence is a rapidly growing field, but simply also because the university felt like the perfect fit for her.
Bwalya, 36, is pursuing the Master Programme in Information Systems. He holds a bachelor’s degree in software engineering and has spent the past twelve years working as a systems analyst at a bank. At this point in his career, he felt it was the right time to continue his studies and advance academically. Like Jannat, he had considerations for other countries and universities as well, but when he came across Karlstad University, the Information Systems programme stood out as a particularly good match for his interests and experience.
Both students arrived in Karlstad last August and are now well into their second semester. Although their backgrounds are quite different, their motivation for studying abroad is similar: a desire to expand their knowledge while experiencing life in a new country.
How are you finding life here in Sweden and at Karlstad University so far?
– Before coming to Sweden, I didn’t think that people would be so nice and supportive. So it was a surprise for me that people here are really simple, kind and friendly by nature. For example, I had never used a laptop before coming here, so when I do presentations and such things, people are very helpful towards me and understand that it’s my first time. The environment is also completely different from Bangladesh. Back home, a lot of cultural activities are present in the society and people are almost overfriendly. They prefer to be close and will come up and talk to you even if they don’t know you. I find that people are more reserved and calm here, and they really respect your privacy, says Jannat.
– I have the same sentiments as well. I didn’t know too much about Sweden beforehand, but most reviews that are out there say that people are very calm here, which aligns with my experience. Like Jannat said, everyone wants to help you and be in your business back home, but Swedes are a lot more reserved. That took quite some time to get used to, because you think that maybe they don’t like you. But now I understand that they won’t just randomly walk up to you and spark a conversation or sit beside you on the bus, simply because they respect your privacy – so it doesn't bother me anymore, says Bwalya and continues:
– Coming from a different world and experiencing how people live life here has been very eye-opening. The culture here is far more interesting than I had expected. For example, how people take advantage of living in a society that is advanced and innovative. I see a lot of sustainability and people are very serious about how they arrange their garbage. It’s small things like this that are unique for Sweden and a huge difference to where I’m coming from.
Snow, darkness and a lot of caffeine
The Swedish winter on the other hand is something that they haven’t quite adjusted to yet.
– It's a new experience and I’m still getting used to it, says Bwalya and laughs. It was nice when it started to snow at the beginning of the year, but it is not the easiest when it’s dark and minus degrees every day. People joke about it on social media, but it is tough. You need to find things that help you stay active during the darkness. I joked with my wife the other day and said “I think I understand why people are so reserved here. Maybe it’s because of the weather and the darkness. People just want to be at home and to themselves.”
– Yes, you have to be strong to stay focused in the evening, so I have to consume lots of coffee and tea. Sometimes the heavy snowfall and black ice also creates problems when walking to the bus stand. I have stumbled a lot of times and people have had to come and help me, says Jannat and laughs a bit embarrassed.
However, they both agree that the weather isn’t something that can stop you from enjoying living in Sweden, and they find the white winter quite beautiful with all its activities.
– I had never seen snowfalls in my country, so it has been a new experience for me. It was also surprising to see the lake go from full of water and everything being green around it, to now, when it’s full of ice and everything is white. It has turned completely upside down, says Jannat.
– Speaking of the lake, I actually went ice skating for the first time. It looks easy when you watch people do it on TV, but to actually go on the ice with the skates was a whole different experience, says Bwalya and laughs.
The joy of Swedish traditions – especially fika
It is not only ice skating that they’ve experienced since their arrival in Karlstad. Jannat has gone fishing and watched the local ice hockey team play, whilst Bwalya has experienced a Lucia concert and visited Värmlands museum. But the best thing they have experienced yet has to be the fika culture.
– I haven’t really tried any of the Swedish food as a lot of it, like the fish, is frozen and I can’t find the traditional spices that I am used to here. But the fika is nice, especially the bun, says Jannat and Bwalya fills in:
– Yes, the Kanelbulle is very tasty. And it’s nice that fika offers an opportunity to just mingle and hear more about Swedish traditions.
Would you recommend Karlstad University to prospective international students?
– Yes, of course. The first week, local students gave us a tour around the city and showed us the places you’d most frequently visit as a student, which helped a lot in settling in when we arrived. The International Office also has meetings every month where we catch-up and share how things are going so far, which has also been very helpful, says Bwalya.
– I agree. The International Office was very helpful and made it easy for us to come here. I just had to submit a form and they helped me find a fully arranged student apartment close to the university, with a nice rent that was perfect for my needs. There are also a lot of special lectures, cultural programs, job fairs, fika events and language classes to help us stay connected to other students and the coordinators at the International Office, says Jannat.
– The faculty and lecturers are also very open and supportive, and you can ask them for help whenever you are stuck. I also have many other International students in my courses that are in the same situation as me, so we are able to help each other out. I think that the university is quite unique in the way that the teaching methods are helpful and that you are valued here. The understanding of things is not just for the sake of teaching, but the teachers actually take the time to help you progress in your courses, which I really appreciate about being here. Another thing that attracted me here in the first place is the help you get to connect with the job market, even as you study, says Bwalya.
Would you like to pursue a career in Sweden after your studies?
– Yes, I would like to stay because of the security and the fact that it’s one of the happiest countries in the world – if I find the right job. But the language is a big barrier for us right now, so that is a bit of a struggle. I find it quite easy to learn Swedish and have picked up a few phrases here and there, but I haven’t really had the time to focus on the language yet, explains Jannat.
– I think it would be nice to stay here if I get a job and a work visa, so that I can integrate more into the culture. Many jobs have the Swedish language requirement though, which is something I’m still working on as well. But aside from that, there are many nice companies here that I would like to work for. It’s a very nice country, a very nice environment and very nice people here, finishes Bwalya.
